TECHNICAL PAPERS
Dec 1, 2007

Evaluation of Membrane Processes for Reducing Total Dissolved Solids Discharged to the Truckee River

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 12

Abstract

Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) is a 150,000m3day (40mgd) tertiary wastewater treatment facility that serves the cities of Reno and Sparks, Nev. The effluent from TMWRF is discharged into the Truckee River which flows to Pyramid Lake—a very sensitive ecosystem and habitat for endangered species. Reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), in conjunction with ultrafiltration (UF) pretreatment, were evaluated for total dissolved solids (TDS) and nutrient removal from the effluent of TMWRF at bench and pilot scale. Results from short-term pilot-scale tests showed that RO and NF membrane processes can successfully remove both TDS and nutrients from the effluent when paired with coagulation-enhanced UF pretreatment. NF membranes were able to achieve the necessary removal while maintaining higher fluxes and lower specific power consumption.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133Issue 12December 2007
Pages: 1136 - 1144

History

Received: Apr 12, 2006
Accepted: Apr 26, 2007
Published online: Dec 1, 2007
Published in print: Dec 2007

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Authors

Affiliations

Eric R. Mortensen
Civil Designer, HDR Engineering Inc., Reno, NV 89521.
Tzahi Y. Cath
Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401.
Jonathan A. Brant
Water Treatment Engineer, HDR Engineering, Inc., Bellevue, WA 98004.
Keith E. Dennett
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557-0152.
Amy E. Childress [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557-0152 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]

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